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GMAT Test Taking Tips And Strategies

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams

GMAT test-taking tips will help you get through the exam day and ace the exam. GMAT tips and tricks include making a proper study plan and following it consistently. The best way to study for GMAT is to practice a lot of reading and writing for GMAT Analytical Reasoning, English grammar rules for GMAT verbal and IR, practice algebra, arithmetic, and geometry for GMAT quant.

GMAT Prep Strategy

To ace the GMAT test, you need to go over several last-minute GMAT study tips. GMAT tips and tricks help you maximize your performance and make sure you learn proper GMAT time management.

Here are some last minute GMAT tips that you can include in your GMAT study plan to get through the questions in the exam:

  1. Smart Guessing

It is important to complete the exam on time, hence you can’t afford to waste time over a single question for long. Here is a trick to deal with the question. You can eliminate the answer choices which you are sure won't fit the question. Then it is easier to guess the right one. Don’t hesitate to take a guess. Then move on to the next.

  1. Choose the shortest ones in Sentence Correction Answers Options

In case you’re stuck on a GMAT sentence correction question and need to guess, choose the shortest one. This generally prefers concise options over longer ones

  1. Do Back Calculation for Math Problems

For GMAT quant problem-solving questions you can often work backward to save time. You might have heard of these GMAT tricks as “plug and chug.” For example, if the answer choice D is 25 and it’s too low, you can eliminate answer choices A and C if they’re, say, 16 and 18.

  1. Make use of Scratch Paper

During the test, you will be provided with a double-sided laminated GMAT scratch paper to write on with a marker. This will help you to remember important details from reading comprehension passages or math problems. This would help you remember small details.

  1. Outline Your Essay

Outlining your GMAT AWA essay beforehand will save your time and will help you produce better results. It makes sure that you organize your ideas and express them more cogently and effectively. And also you can refer back to it as you write, so you won’t forget any initial thoughts you had while reading.

GMAT Test Day Tips

Here are some tips that you can follow on your test day:

  • Don't overstrain yourself on the day before your test.
  • Do finish studying early. Take the evening off to do something relaxing.
  • Do get a good night’s sleep.
  • Do wake up early and have breakfast.
  • Arrive at the GMAT test center at least half an hour before your scheduled exam time.
  • Take your passport as a photo ID
  • You are allowed two eight-minute breaks between the GMAT sections. It is advised that you take them. You should spend at most 5 minutes outside the testing room.
  • Carry little food like protein bars and water bottles which will help you to rejuvenate yourself during the break.
  • While selecting the GMAT Section order, choose the one which you are most confident about.
  • To stay focused for four hours during the GMAT exam is tough. Thus during GMAT preparation distribute your study time evenly.
  • If you come across difficult and unknown questions, do not hesitate to skip them and come back later. Staying calm is the best way to get through and ace the GMAT.
  • If you face any problem during the exam with the computer or other things, raise your hand to get the attention of the invigilator.

Things to carry on the GMAT exam day

There are a few necessary things you will need to carry with you on the GMAT test day.

  1. Approved ID which matches all the local ID requirements, otherwise, your registration fee might be forfeited.
  2. Your name and date of birth must be mentioned on the ID, and match with the information given during registration.
  3. You must carry your GMAT appointment confirmation.
  4. You must carry a 1-liter bottle of water and/or an energy drink, healthy snacks.
  5. You Must not carry watches, notebooks, or phones inside the testing room.
  6. Do not carry earplugs, backpacks, wallets, or purses in the exam room.

GMAT Verbal Tips

The GMAT verbal questions are complicated and proper tricks are needed to solve GMAT verbal questions. Questions of these sections are Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning.

GMAT Tips Sentence Correction Opt for the most precise answer Pick the most concise answer
GMAT Tips Reading Comprehension The questions may confuse you – so read the passage first Don’t hurry in finding the answers Check all the answers before marking
GMAT Critical Reasoning Tips Notice the stem of the question before proceeding Understand the question types and stay logical

GMAT Quant Tips

The GMAT quant section is very tricky with the data sufficiency and Problem-Solving questions and the following tips can help you here:

GMAT Tips Conjunction of the Number Plugin the numbers to make the questions easier.
For questions, use the 12TEN trick to solve the question easily. In this question, the options look much similar, so check the options twice before marking them.
Problem Solving Tips Estimate the closest answer where answers are given in the form of exponents.
Use divisibility rules for large numbers

GMAT Tips for Integrated Reasoning

The exclusive test-taking strategies for integrated reasoning include:

  • Calm down even if you get a very critical graph or image
  • Fetch the data wisely
  • Don’t skip any information even if it appears unimportant
  • Work on your graph reading skills.
  • Develop a timed practice test habit.
  • Try answering realistic sample questions.
  • Practice using the on-screen calculator.

GMAT Essay Tips

The best way to prepare for GMAT analytical writing assessment is to:

  • Structure a template to have a smooth flow of writing
  • Plan the essay in five minutes and have a clear thought
  • Write in connecting paragraphs
  • Try to use your own words
  • Focus on outline
  • Keep in mind the common flaws of AWA essays
  • Practice writing

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

GMAT 2023 : 27 answered questions

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Ques. MBA Preparation: What GMAT score can be considered good for applying to ISB Hyderabad with an average academic profile?

● Top Answer By Uday Pawar on 30 Jan 23

Generally speaking anything above 750 is a good score for admission to IBS Hyderabad. But even a high GMAT score does not guarantee admission to IBS Hyderabad because the shortlisting is profile-based. GMAT score is just a part of the entire selection process. You need to improvise your profile by working on other aspects also like  essays profile academics extracurricular activities Academics: Your 12th class marks graduation grades, post-graduation, and certification scores along with the GMAT cutoff is considered in your academic profile. Leadership: The leadership skills of the aspirants are tested on the basis of their prior achievements and roles. Personal attributes: This comprises your personal qualities like hobbies, talents, and extracurricular skills. Aspirants from diverse work experiences, cultures, and educational backgrounds are welcomed at IBS Hyderabad. So along with preparing well for GMAT, give importance to these parameters as well to increase your chances of admission....Read more

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Ques. What is the percentile required to get into ISB Hyderabad?

● Top Answer By Akanksha Sharma on 30 Jan 23

In case you are enquiring about the CAT percentile let me clarify that ISB Hyderabad does not take into consideration CAT scores. It accepts GMAT/GRE scores only. Most importantly, the ISB Shortlisting process is profile-based. This means even with a lower percentile you can manage to get shortlisted provided you have an excellent profile. There is no fixed cutoff for GMAT. However, a 700+ GMAT score isn't a must-have for ISB if your application is strong in other areas. According to an ISB spokesperson, candidates were admitted to the 2021 cohort with scores as low as 580, and as high as 780. So the GMAT score range for ISB is 580-780....Read more

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Ques. Is it worth spending 30k to join GMAT coaching at Crack ISB Hyderabad?

● Top Answer By Yash Bhati on 30 Jan 23

Yes, it certainly is worth paying a hefty fee of 30k for GMAT coaching at Crack ISB Hyderabad. The quality of trainers and the certainty of admission is what draw the candidates here. While there are many institutes that specialize in training for the CAT, very few institutes offer training for GMAT.  Crack ISB Hyderabad has many features that have made it so popular and demanding among GMAT aspirants The peer group is a productive and effective group discussion is possible The institute gives the admission essay reviews free of cost while most institutes charge around 20-25k The quality of editing is much better at this Institute mainly because the faculty comprises alumni of top B Schools  So it’s better to pay more for quality education than pay less or the same for substandard education. But remember an Institute can just prepare you for your entrance exam. It’s upon you to put in maximum effort and achieve your goals....Read more

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Ques. Why do students go for CAT, XAT, SNAP etc when almost all the B-Schools in India accept GMAT scores for the full time MBA?

● Top Answer By Nia Malhotra on 17 May 21

There is hardly any B-school in India that accepts GMAT scores for full-time MBA. IIMs, FMS, XLRI, JBIMS, IIFT, MDI, etc. are some of the institutions that accept GMAT scores.  However, students applying through a foreign national quota or NRI quota are eligible for GMAT score. ISB on the other hand accepts the GMAT for its full-time program MBA program. Here is the list of some B-Schools that accepts GMAT scores in India XLRI, Jamshedpur XIM, Bhubaneswar VIT Business School TISS, Mumbai TERI School of Advanced Sciences, TERI University TASMAC, Pune TAPMI, Manipal School of Management, Udaipur School of Management, NMIMS, Mumbai School of Management, International Institute of Management This is why most students go for CAT, XAT, SNAP, and other management exams for admission in MBA. Only foreign nationals or students with NRI Quota can apply through GMAT....Read more

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Ques. Does ISB Hyderabad need work experience apart from the GMAT score?

● Top Answer By Bejoy John on 30 Jan 23

Yes, ISB Hyderabad’s PGP program requires a minimum of 2 years of full-time paid work experience. This criteria came into force on 31st March 2016 and is still a necessity. For candidates who lack in this aspect, there is a back door entry called the Early Entry Option or the EEOs. Under this, you can apply right away, go through the selection process, and receive the admission offer but join only after working for 2 years. This can also be referred to as Deferred admission.  ...Read more

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